United States v. Mescual-Cruz

LYNCH, Circuit Judge.

This is an appeal from denials of motions to withdraw guilty pleas which involve the law on package pleas.

Defendants Geraldo Mescual-Cruz (Ger-aldo) and Nelson Mescual-Cruz (Nelson), who are brothers, along with four co-defendants pled guilty to federal drug conspiracy charges on April 8, 2002. The pleas were part of a package deal, that is, the government’s offer was contingent on all defendants entering plea agreements. Sometimes these are referred to as “wired” pleas, that is, two or more pleas are linked. The package deal was reached late in the afternoon on the first…